Motu - Find out more about our supporters

What if the economic systems shaping our world aren’t designed to solve the challenges we face today?

What if there were alternatives better suited to addressing and mitigating some of the issues society faces?

That’s the question driving Rangimaria Aperahama, one of the researchers who supported this year’s IYM Online programme - and it’s a question that’s increasingly relevant for the next generation of STEMM leaders.

Rangimaria works for Motu Research, an independent, world-class economics and public policy institute, working for the public good.  Motu is part of IRANZ (Independent Research Association of New Zealand) which is a long-time supporter of IYM’s annual Online programme, and which is focused on helping ‘Aotearoa New Zealand tackle complex social, environmental & economic challenges’.

Rangimaria is a Māori advisor and economist.  She has an interest in exploring Māori approaches to the economy, an area gaining attention as traditional economic models struggle to address issues like climate change, inequality, and social wellbeing. Rather than accepting these limitations, she’s interested in alternative frameworks that offer different ways of thinking about value, resources, and success.

During the Online programme, Rangimaria facilitated a panel of women researchers from IRANZ who shared their journeys into research and the ideas shaping their work.

The theme for the panel discussion centred on the concept of “protection”, reflecting the work of many IRANZ organisations dedicated to science for public good.

For students, this was more than just a simple insight into a career pathway. It was a chance to see how STEMM can be used to challenge assumptions, explore new ideas, and help build a better future.